City of Salinas to receive millions in federal grants to help homeless

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Congressmen Jimmy Panetta announced Wednesday that the City of Salinas will be getting $5.8 million in federal government grants.

The grants are intended to be used to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless due to job loss, pay reduction or illness due to COVID-19.

The grants are coming from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grants program.

“Once again, our community is the recipient of a significant amount of relief funding due to the bipartisan CARES Act that we passed in Congress.  This time, the grant will go to assisting those who are experiencing homelessness on the Central Coast," said Congressman Panetta.  “Such funding can help make a difference now as we work stem the spread of COVID-19 and stimulate long-term solutions for addressing homelessness in the future.”

The grants can be used to make more emergency shelter available, operate emergency shelters by providing necessary supplies, provide hotel/motel vouchers, provide essential services to those experiencing homelessness and prevent people from becoming homeless and rehouse those who are homeless.